Happy Birthday Rich

This is the big one... 40...

It's not easy being the oldest. I know. I'm the oldest sibling. But, in our family, Rich holds that title. I wont let him forget it either. I had big plans for this date; been working on them for a year. But somehow a higher power took control and now I am here, alone on Rich's birthday blogging. So, indulge me as I reflect on my best friend..

1: those beautiful eyes, 2: his talent, 3: his laughter, 4: his ability to make friends, 5: his inability to remember names, 6: he never forgets a face, 7: he loves the arts, 8: he lets me be MyT Pen, 9: he drives the boys to school every morning, 10: he eats what I cook, 11: he brown bags it, 12: he works hard, 13: he keeps me safe, warm and dry, 14: he only wanted 3 kids, 15: he listened to his mission president and waited, 16: he indulges me, 17: he makes up stories every night to tell the kids, 18: he adores his life, 19: he still likes to sit by me, 20: we love movies, 21: he turns his cell phone off, 22: he sets limits, 23: we can cry together, 24: he puts up with the Bywaters, 25: he travels with me, 26: did I say he'll eat anything I cook??, 27: he digs up the yard EVERY YEAR, 28: he puts the yard back together EVERY YEAR, 29: he loves Hawaii, 30: he speaks Spanish, 31: he doesn't golf, 32: he says "Judas Priest" (what does that mean?), 33: he translates guy locker room slang for me, 34: nightly dodge ball wars, 35: he still smacks my behind when he walks by, 36: he paints, 37: geometry, 38: he loves to drive his car--which is a stick, 39: that whole eternal thing, 40: he choose me.

Happy birthday, love.. and as Marie Posey put it, "80 is a good year to tell the Lord you are done. Until then-sass the world." here's to another 40.